Hindu Gods and Goddesses: Who They Are and Their Prayers

How many gods are there in Hinduism?

The Hindu Association of West Texas describes a pantheon said to include 330 million gods. The Hindu American Foundation says most Hindus believe in one divine reality, understood as formless or worshipped in different forms.

The Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva together form the Trimurti. In this triad, Brahma is associated with creation, Vishnu with preservation, and Shiva with destruction.

Hindu gods

Ganesha

Ganesha is recognized by his elephant head. Hindu tradition identifies him as the son of Shiva and Parvati.

Prayers: Jai Ganesh Deva, Vakratunda Mahakaya, Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

See Ganesha: Who Lord Ganesh Is, With His Mantras and Stotram.

Vishnu

Vishnu is associated with sustaining rightful order in the world. Rama and Krishna are understood as incarnations of Vishnu.

Prayers: Vishnu Sahasranamam, Om Jai Jagdish Hare

See Vishnu: Who Lord Vishnu Is, With His Mantras and Prayers.

Shiva

Shiva is associated with creation as well as destruction. He is depicted as both an ascetic yogi and a householder.

Prayers: Om Namah Shivaya, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, Lingashtakam, Shiv Aarti

See Lord Shiva: Who He Is, With His Mantras and Prayers.

Krishna

Krishna is regarded as Vishnu's eighth avatar. The flute is closely associated with Krishna.

Prayers: Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Achyutam Keshavam, the Bhagavad Gita

See Lord Krishna: Who He Is, With His Mantras and Prayers.

Rama

Rama is understood as an incarnation of Vishnu. He is the hero at the center of the Ramayana.

Prayers: Ram Raksha Stotra

See Lord Rama: Who He Is, With His Mantras and Prayers.

Hanuman

In the Ramayana, the monkey hero Hanuman helps Rama rescue Sita. The epic associates Hanuman with unwavering loyalty and devotion to Rama.

Prayers: Hanuman Chalisa, Bajrang Baan, Hanuman Aarti

Venkateswara

Venkateswara is revered as a form of Vishnu. Balaji and Govinda are other names for Venkateswara.

Prayers: Srinivasa Suprabhatam, Govinda Namalu

See Lord Venkateswara: Who He Is, With the Venkateswara Stotram.

Murugan

Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, is worshipped as a god of war. Also called Subrahmanya, he is described as the son of Shiva and Parvati.

See Lord Murugan (Kartikeya): Who He Is, With His Mantras.

Ayyappa

Ayyappa is described as the son of Shiva and Mohini, a form of Vishnu. The Sabarimala temple is a place of Ayyappa worship.

Prayers: Harivarasanam

Surya

Surya is the Hindu deity associated with the sun. Images often show him riding a chariot pulled by seven horses.

Prayers: Aditya Hridayam

Hindu goddesses

Lakshmi

Lakshmi is associated with prosperity and abundance. In Hindu tradition, she is Vishnu's wife.

Prayers: Mahalakshmi Ashtakam, Ashta Lakshmi Stotram, Kanakadhara Stotram, Lakshmi Aarti

Durga

Durga is a warrior goddess understood as a manifestation of Parvati. Hindu mythology describes her defeat of Mahisha, the buffalo demon.

Prayers: Aigiri Nandini, Jai Ambe Gauri, Durga Chalisa

See Goddess Durga: Who She Is, With Her Mantras and Prayers.

Saraswati

Saraswati is associated with learning, knowledge, and music. She can be shown seated while playing the veena.

Parvati

Parvati is Shiva's consort in Hindu tradition. She is also identified as Ganesha's mother.

Lalitha

Lalitha, also known as Lalita Maha Tripurasundari, is the goddess at the center of the Sri Vidya tradition. Also called Rajarajeswari, she is revered as the Divine Mother.

Prayers: Lalitha Sahasranamam

Related reading

• Mantra, prayer, bhajan, and aarti: what is the difference?
• Which Mantra Should I Chant Every Day?
• Bhagavad Gita in English: All 18 Chapters and 700 Verses
• About the Diya app